JP2022537258A - Method and device for preparing beverages, preferably milk floss or hot milk - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and device for producing milk froth, in particular to a method and device for preparing beverages containing milk froth using a coffee machine. Prior to preparation, a beverage, preferably cold milk, is introduced at least partially into the container (10). Beverage introduced into a container (10) placed on the placement surface (9*) of the station (9) preferably passes through at least one line (5) emanating from the station (9) It leads to a device for preparing milk floss or hot milk. The beverage is subsequently returned to the container (10) and this circulation is preferably repeated until the beverage has a certain temperature and/or consistency. Beverages can therefore be prepared manually and above all according to the customer's wishes, while milk froth, etc. can be produced and served with a consistently high quality. By using this method, the operator can essentially use the container in a conventional manner for preparing beverages.

Description

The present invention relates to a method and device for preparing a beverage, preferably milk froth or hot milk, according to the preambles of claims 1 and 6 respectively.

A principle for steam production, inter alia in coffee machines, is known from the publication DE 44 45 436 which discloses that the amount of steam delivered is controlled by a simple valve as a manually operated unit. The release of steam is essentially used to prepare milky coffee specialties such as cappuccinos, latte macchiatos or milk coffees and in this context to produce milk froth. ing. Hot steam is conveyed into the cup or container by a lance immersed in the milk so that the desired milk froth is produced by up-and-down movement of the cup while the milk is heated and the steam is entering.

A device of this type is also disclosed in EP-A-1 501 398. It consists essentially of a steam generator and a source of compressed air and a steam delivery line to which is connected a compressed air line extended by a steam lance immersed in the milk. It is Mixing of the two media, steam and air, therefore already takes place before the steam lance. It is therefore difficult to regulate the quality of milk froth and to vary the quality of milk froth depending on the type of beverage to be prepared. In this context, devices of this type are currently being asked to meet high demands in terms of product quality, but their use and operating conditions can often vary considerably from case to case. be.

The present invention is based on the object of providing a method and device of the type referred to above, according to which fresh milk, etc., can be at least partially poured into a container such as a jug in a known manner. but as a result inter alia milk froth can be produced with the best quality for beverages.

This object is solved according to the invention by the features of claims 1 and 6 respectively.

With this method according to the invention, the beverages can be prepared manually and can be prepared individually for the customer according to the customer's preferences, while milk, froth, etc. are always available. Being able to manufacture and service with the same quality and with a higher quality, this method allows the operator to use the container in an essentially conventional manner for preparing beverages.

The present invention provides in this situation a beverage filled in a container arranged on a fixed surface of the station, which beverage is passed through at least one line emanating from the station, preferably milk froth. or transported to a device for preparing hot milk and back to the container, this cycle being preferably repeated until the beverage exhibits a certain temperature and/or consistency.

The device comprises a floss making unit with at least one line extending from a station, a pump for drawing milk, etc. from a container and delivering it, an air inlet, at least one choke, milk, etc. heating means that can be switched on and off for The circulation line leads back to the station so that the prepared milk, etc. can be returned to the container again.

According to one preferred embodiment of this structure, the invention prepares this device for components of a coffee machine which are placed out of sight under the table. This arrangement is thus virtually invisible to the customer or the customer using it.

Alternatively to this, it is possible to place the coffee machine with the device on a counter or table for easy access. This allows, inter alia, a direct drive of the coffee machine, resulting in easier handling.

The invention and other advantages of the invention are explained in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments and with reference to the figures.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the hydraulic mechanism of the device according to the invention together with the station and the container standing thereon; FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section through the station and the container standing thereon, with the passage opening closed; 3 is a longitudinal section according to FIG. 2 with open passage openings; FIG. FIG. 2 is a partial view showing a service table with stations and containers standing thereon, with a coffee machine shown among the table furnishing items; 1 is a schematic representation of a coffee machine with stations placed next to it and a container standing on it. Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of the hydraulic mechanism of the device according to the invention together with a container for delivering the beverage;

A device 1 for preparing beverages, shown in FIG. 1, is built as a separate milk preparation module or integrated into a coffee machine. As with this device 1, hot milk, cold milk froth or hot milk froth or milk mixtures for cappuccino, latte macchiato, chocolate, vanilla or other beverages are produced.

In the case of this device 1, a fixing surface 9' is preferably provided for the container 10 which can be manually put into position on the service table or with the coffee machine. A metal milk jug is used as container 10 . It is also possible to use milk jugs or vessels made of porcelain, or cups, and so on. This container 10 can be lifted from station 9 or placed on it and the container can be accurately positioned above the station by corresponding centering means such as centering bolts.

In the case of the method according to the invention, the beverage filled in the container 10 located on the fixed surface 9' of the station 9 is passed through the line 5 extending from the station 9, preferably cold milk froth or hot milk. It is transported to the device 1 for preparing milk floss or hot milk and then transported back into the container 10 . This circulation of the beverage to be prepared from the container through the lines and devices and back to the container is automatically repeated until the beverage exhibits a certain temperature and/or consistency. However, this is in principle also controlled as a function of time and/or volume.

This froth-making unit 3 of the device 1 for heating milk or producing cold or hot milk froth essentially consists of a line 5 developing from a station 9 on the table, a temperature It consists of a sensor 21, a choke 14 from a pump 13 that conveys the beverage, and an air inlet 12 upstream or downstream of this. This arrangement is followed by a connecting element 16, a temperature measuring device 17 and a mixed froth consistency measuring device 18 connected to the steam line 22 for delivering steam, deploying in line 5 at an angle of 90 degrees. are placed. Line 5 is then led back to station 9 .

This milk froth consistency measuring device 18 is preferably formed by an electrical sensor with which the electrical conductivity or electrical resistance of the flowing milk froth is measured. It is equally possible to measure the consistency without this measuring device 18, but in order to obtain the desired consistency of the frothed beverage, its temperature is determined using the temperature measuring device 17. and, based on this temperature, the reference temperature can be adjusted and thus the rotational speed of the pump 13 adjusted by adjusting or controlling in a manner that can also adjust this desired consistency. . However, the desired consistency can also be obtained by controlling the amount of air introduced via air inlet 12 by means of proportional valve 12'.

This device 1 comprises a heating assembly with a steam line 22 for heating the beverage, e.g. Steam line 22 extends into line 5 of froth production unit 3 via shut-off valve 32 and non-return valve 33 driven by a corresponding control unit, through line 5 milk, etc. Circulate. Through this steam line 22 hot steam is introduced into the beverage flowing in line 5 in such a way that the beverage is quickly heated.

The device 1 shown further comprises a water supply for washing, a filter unit 15 and a valve 35 with a delivery line 19 extending into line 5 . For this washing, a two-way valve 23 for looping the line 5 through an additional line 6 with a washing medium inlet 19 and also a non-return valve 26 are likewise provided.

During cleaning of the froth production unit 3, line 5 and container 10, valves 35, 23 allow water to be sucked into line 5 by pump 13 and have a cleaning medium inlet 19, e.g. ' through line 6, through line 5, vessel 10, and back into line 6 again via pump 13, so that the water is switched in a cyclical manner. At the end of the cleaning process, the two-way valve 24 can be opened to allow the cleaning water to flow out into the water collection vessel 37 .

Advantageously, washing is often carried out with water alone, without involving line 6, which circulates through line 5, through froth-making unit 3 and container 10, and then into the catchment container. Guided into 37.

According to FIGS. 2 and 3, the container 10 shown in the lower part comprises a wall and a base 10' with two passage openings 11, 11' running next to each other, and a closure element 20. . This closure element 20 comprises a vertical shaft 25 pretensioned by a pressure spring 34, a closure element 31 secured to its top and correspondingly projecting inlets for passage openings 11, 11'. 36 and an outlet 35 . In addition to this, there are corresponding sealing elements 37, 38 in the base 10' which ensure that the container is reliably sealed when the beverage is filled therein and that the container is upright on the station. are placed.

The station 9 is provided with a line connection 45 for connecting the passage openings 11, 11' to the line 5 and is provided with a lifting device 46 having a piston 47, which lifts vertically. It is adjustable and contacts the underside of vertical shaft 25 in container 10 . This piston 47 can be moved in a controlled manner into two positions by means of a lifting device 46, which, as can be seen from FIGS. It has the effect that it can be positioned in the closed position or the open position by This pressure spring 34 acting on the vertical axis 25 makes it possible to automatically move the closure element 31 together with the vertical axis 25 into the closed position, so that the container is always closed when the beverage is not intended to be circulated. ing.

According to this method, preferably a certain selectable amount of cold milk or milk mixture can be filled into this container 10, represented as a jug, as required. When the jug is placed on station 9, cold milk is sucked from the jug and provided by circulation, for example as cold or hot milk froth. This method produces excellent milk froth in seconds. The operator thus prepares the beverage more quickly than if he had to manually produce milk, etc. by moving his hand with a conventional steam lance inserted into a jug on top of the coffee machine. can be done. Furthermore, the person ordering the beverage and the person standing next to the table will not see, nor will they perceive, for example, the milk floss being produced in the jug standing above station 9. I don't even have to.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 4, the device 1 according to the invention is housed in the table furnishing unit 28 as a separate milk preparation module and also as a coffee machine 27 and associated refrigerator 27'. . A station 9 connected to the device 1 is mounted on a table plate 29 . The coffee machine 27 described below has, although not visible, an outlet above the table plate 29, which outlet can be provided with a column or similar element. In addition to this, advantageously the hot steam required for the device 1 is produced in the coffee machine 27, which hot steam is connected to one another by steam delivery lines which are not shown in more detail at all. .

FIG. 5 shows a variant in which the coffee machine 27 is self-supporting on the surface 39' of the counter 39, table, etc., on which this station 9 can be placed. Located next to the coffee machine 27 and not visible, the device 1 with the container 10 is integrated into the coffee machine 27 . The coffee machine 27 shown in principle only has a housing 41, an outlet 42 for coffee at the front, an upper coffee bean container 44 and a drip tray 43 below, the drip tray 43 being A cup for filling coffee and/or milk or milk froth, etc. can be placed on top. Advantageously, this station 9 is placed laterally next to the coffee machine 27 and the drip tray 43 , the station 9 being in line with the device 1 leading to the interior of the housing 41 of the coffee machine 27 . It has

This method and device according to the invention for heating milk can be used with the milk module as a separate unit or as explained above, especially for producing cappuccino or other hot milk beverages. It is also possible to integrate it into a coffee machine for

In another variant according to FIG. 6, the beverage is not conveyed from the putable container 10, but is arranged from a container 61 in a known manner and in a manner similar to the method according to FIG. It is carried to a device and from this device there is a connection to an outlet 71 under which a cup can be placed, for example. In this situation milk is sucked through suction line 65 by a controllable pump 64, such as a gear pump. In addition to this, an air delivery line 63 with a switchable air control valve 66 is arranged upstream of the pump 64, through which hot steam is conveyed as heating medium via two steam lines 67, the Each is provided with a shut-off valve 68 and a non-return valve 69 transversely into this passage opening 65 and it is equally possible to provide only one steam line 67 . Furthermore, a choke 71 is advantageously provided in line 65 downstream of pump 64 .

According to the invention, the beverage is conveyed by a line 65 extending from the container 61 into a froth production unit 60 for preparing a beverage, preferably milk froth or hot milk, the beverage from production unit 60 via line 65' into chamber 62 and then back to froth production unit 60, this cycle being preferably repeated until the beverage exhibits a particular temperature and/or consistency; Also, the beverage is subsequently conveyed to the outlet 73 .

For this purpose, in individual cases, two-way valves 72 are arranged in line 65 upstream and downstream of pump 64, via which two-way valves 72 for this circulation, i.e. for this loop, are arranged. Via line 65 ′ the beverage is conveyed into chamber 62 or directly to outlet 73 . From this chamber 62 the cold or hot milk mixture is then sucked again by the pump 64 via the two-way valve 72 and, depending on the situation, is conveyed back into the chamber 62 or through the outlet 73. transported again to Chamber 62 is preferably dimensioned in such a way that the beverage portion to be prepared corresponds at least approximately to the portion required for the cup or container already provided at outlet 73 . This beverage portion is determined by the controlled opening and closing of valve 74 in line 65 .

Furthermore, a temperature measuring device 17 or a consistency measuring device 18, respectively, is arranged in the froth production unit 60, which can cause the corresponding control unit to switch the two-way valve 72 depending on the measured value. .

This device according to FIG. 6 can be integrated into a coffee machine or a separate milk froth producer and produce high quality milk froth cold or hot.

It is of course possible to explain the invention by means of other exemplary embodiments. For example, instead of a steam source as heating medium, it is also possible to provide another form of heating of the beverage, for example by means of known water heaters or the like.

It is equally possible to arrange at least one or both of the passage circuits provided in the container in the side walls of the container.

It is also possible in principle to use hoses in the container instead of passage openings and closure elements, which are immersed in the container. In this case, these hoses would be equipped with shut-off valves with the same effect.

Claims (12)

A method for preparing a beverage, preferably milk floss or hot milk, according to which said beverage, preferably cold milk, is at least partially placed in a container (10) prior to said preparation. filled or the beverage is conveyed from a container (61),
a container (10) in which said filled beverage is positioned on a stationary surface (9') of said station (9) by means of at least one line (5, 65) extending from said station (9) or said container (61) ), preferably to a device for preparing milk floss or hot milk, and either back into said container (10) or back into the chamber (62) and this A method, characterized in that the circulation is preferably repeated until said beverage exhibits a certain temperature and/or consistency. Said beverage is preferably conveyed into said line (5) through at least one passage opening (11) provided in the base of said container (10) and through at least one second passage opening (11'). 2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that it returns back through the container (10). When said container (10) is preferably placed on a service table or on said stationary surface (9') of said station (9) in a coffee machine (27) said at least one passage opening (11 ) is automatically connected to the line (5) and a closure element (20) is arranged to open and close the passage of the beverage from or into the container. The method described in . A device integrated in the service table or the coffee machine treats the beverage drawn from the container (10) to prepare a beverage containing froth, preferably milk froth, for serving. and/or heated and then conveyed back into the container (10) and this cycle is repeated until the beverage exhibits a certain temperature and/or consistency. The method according to any one of . In order to obtain the desired consistency of said beverage with froth, preferably milk froth, its temperature is measured and on this basis the reference temperature is adjusted by means of a regulation or control device, thus also this 5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotational speed of the pump is adjusted in such a way that the desired consistency is adjusted. A device for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
at least one line (5, 65) extending from said station (9) or said container (61) and a pump for sucking and conveying milk from said container (10) or said vessel (61), etc. (13, 64), an air delivery line (12, 63) arranged upstream or downstream of this, at least one choke (14, 71) and heating means for said milk, etc. A froth production unit (3, 60) is provided, said line (5, 65) being led back to said station (9) or into said at least one chamber (62) to be prepared thereby. A device, characterized in that said milk, etc. can be transported back into said container (10) or into said chamber (62). tight automatic connection with said at least one line (5) of said floss-making unit (3) by placing said container (10) at a specific position on said fixed surface (9') of said station (9); 7. A device according to claim 6, characterized in that a closure element (20) is arranged in the container, which is established and can be driven by a lifting device (46) with a piston (47). A boiler in which a steam line (22) of a heating device (2) is provided as heating medium, a connecting element (16) passing transversely into said line (5), said heating device (2) producing hot steam. and said hot steam is conveyed through this steam line (22) into this line (5) in which said milk, etc. circulates. device. Said froth-making unit (3) and/or said heating device (2) of said device (1) are separate devices or are integrated into a coffee machine (27) and this separate device or said coffee 9. Device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the machine (27) is placed in an invisible position in the service table or on the counter (39) or the like. A temperature-measuring device (17) and/or a consistency-measuring device (18) for said milk froth are arranged in said froth-making unit (3), by means of which they pass through said line (5). and the consistency measuring device is used to assess the electrical conductivity or electrical resistance of the flowing milk froth. 10. A device according to any one of 6 to 9. A container for a device according to any one of claims 6 to 10,
at least one, preferably at least two passage openings (11, 11'), which in each case serve to connect lines (5) of said device (1), are arranged in said container (10), A closure element (20) is arranged for opening and closing said at least one passage opening (11, 11'), thus opening and closing the passage of said beverage to be prepared from or into said container. A container characterized by: Said closure element (20) comprises a vertical shaft (25) pretensioned by a pressure spring (34), a closure element (31) secured to the top of this and for said passage openings (11, 11'). , a projecting inlet (36) and a projecting outlet (35) corresponding to this element in the container (10).

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